Friday evening at the 20th Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival, after a trek up Powell Street because the streetcar was out of service, we went to Grace Cathedral to see saxophonist James Carter and the Tuvan throat-singing group, Huun-Huur-Tu. Grace Cathedral is a great edifice in San Francisco and I was excited about hearing music in this space.
Huun-Huur-Tu originates from the mountainous Russian Republic of Tuva, just north of Mongolia. Each is a master of multiphonics, the ability to produce two distinct pitches. Their sound and their music were definitely unique and filled the cathedral. They were very entertaining but their set ran a little long.
James Carter roared through his set with great tenacity. He made his horn speak, squawk, and growl and filled the room with a melodious but sometimes ear-piercing sound. The highlight of his performance was a powerful rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" intertwined with "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Later in his set, he was joined by Huun-Huur-Tu and they performed a couple of numbers together. Carter was challenged but blended brilliantly with Huun-Huur-Tu's vocal sounds.
Saturday evening was the crowning night of the SF Jazz Festival for me for two great jazz legends of our time were performing at the Masonic Auditorium, Shirley Horn and Ahmad Jamal. Shirley's set opened differently than it had in the past. George Mesterhazy replaced Shirley on the piano, Eddie Howard replaced the late Charles Ables on "the baas" (as Shirley would say) and her old faithful, Steve Williams was on the drums. They warmed up the crowd with an instrumental. Shirley was then wheeled on stage and greeted with a loud applause. Always graceful and glamorous, she looked wonderful as she opened with "All Or Nothing At All." Despite not being at the piano (due to a foot amputation earlier this year), Shirley was still very much in charge and kept her trio under her spell. She flowed through such gems as "How Am I To Know", "A Time For Love", and "Come In From The Rain." She gave a very playful and sensual rendition of "Fever." The highlight of the evening was her poignant rendition of The Beatles' classic, "Yesterday." There was such a silence that fell over the room, you could hear her every breath. It was very moving. She closed with her signature song, "Here's To Life" and as wonderful as she was, I look forward to the day when she is back at the helm of her Steinway piano.
